The Ignored Wolf

Locked Up

Louise

"What?" I ask, stunned by his words.

"Look at you," he says, his tone frustrated. "You're pale as a ghost, and that dress—good Moon, did you dig it out of a museum? Louise, couldn’t you have found something presentable? Tonight is important to me."

My cheeks flush with embarrassment. "I don't have the money for beautiful clothes," I retort, trying to keep my voice steady. "You still owe me money."

"I'll pay you back later!" he snaps, looking at me as if I've somehow betrayed him. "Money is never the issue, Louise. You disappoint me. I don't know when you became so materialistic. Is money more important to you than I am?"

"Pardon?" I manage, trying to grasp his twisted logic. "I can't believe this... Charlie, you need to calm down."

"I can't calm down. You made me look like a fool in front of Cassandra!" he says, rubbing his temples in exasperation. "Is that what you wanted?"

I glance towards Cassandra, who smirks at me with satisfaction. "Cassandra is the one who made you look foolish." I reply. "She said those things to provoke you, and you fell for it—"

"She's not wrong. You do look... unappealing," he mutters.

Ouch. His words sting.

"But you invited me," I remind him softly. "You said you needed me."

"I needed a stunning date, not this—" Charlie mumbles. "Perhaps I should have invited someone else."

My hand flies out before I can stop it, striking his cheek with a sharp slap. Charlie's skin blooms red and he stares at me.

"You hit me..." he breathes, his hand slowly rising to touch his face incredulously.

I'm trembling. My palm stings, my heart beating so rapidly it hurts. I try to keep my voice steady to mask my panic. "Yes. I hit you. Just like I did when you were drunk and acted like an asshole. I'll do it again if you keep talking this way. "I spit out at him. "You're using me, Charlie. Did you even consider my feelings in this game of yours?"

"Louise, I—"

"Don't," I cut him off, shrugging off his coat and shoving it back to his hands. "Since I'm not good enough, not pretty enough, not strong enough, not appealing enough for your stupid game, you shouldn't have dragged me into it in the first place."

"I'm sorry, Louise." He reaches out, regret plastered over his face.

"Don't touch me," I say, stepping back. "Do you even see me as a friend?"

"Yes, Louise, you're my best friend, I swear on the Moon!" His desperation is clear. "I'm sorry... I’m just a mess...I shouldn't have said those things. I know you came here to save my ass." He holds the coat out to me again. "Please, Louise. Put it back on. You will be cold."

The fury in my chest ebbs slightly as I see the genuine regret and confusion in his eyes. I hesitate, my hand halfway to taking the coat when Cassandra suddenly steps forward.

"Oh my," she gasps. "Charlie, your face..." She rushes to his side and caresses his face tenderly.

Charlie stiffens under her touch, locked by some invisible chain. And suddenly, I'm invisible again.

"Louise, did you hit him?" Cassandra turns to me. "Why did you do that?"

"Cassandra, it's not—" Charlie begins, but she silences him with a gentle pat.

"No, darling, I won't let her do this to you." Cassandra says.

Charlie seems to enjoy her concern. He hesitates, then falls silent. He f*****g stays silent.

"Dad! Mum!" Cassandra calls out. Father and Kelly appear almost instantly. They always respond swiftly to Cassandra's summons. Seeing me, they can't help but frown.

"What are you doing here?" Father hisses at me, as if my presence alone brings disgrace.

Before I can answer, Kelly places a hand on Father's shoulder. "Calm down, Calvin. I'm sure your daughter just heard about Cassandra's wonderful news and came to share happiness with us. Right, Louise?"

"No, Mum!" Cassandra cries out. She just hit Charlie!"

"What?" Kelly gasps. "Are you alright, Charlie?"

"She hit him! Right before my coronation, in front of all these guests... I'm scared, Dad. I'm scared she'll ruin everything tonight." Cassandra says, clutching my father's sleeve.

Father's gaze turns to me. "Care to explain what exactly is going on?"

"Cassandra insulted me first! She provoked Charlie and he took the bait. Charlie said I embarrassed him and he should have brought someone else—"

"And you hit him?" Kelly sighs. "Louise, darling, no matter what he said, this isn’t the place for violence."

"But—"

"Is it untrue? Do you think you’re well-behaved tonight?" Father asks, his gaze landing on me.

Caught under their scrutiny, my courage falters.

"I thought tonight could be different," Cassandra sighs. "I know you've never liked me. But today is my day. I'm becoming Luna of Greenwood. I was so happy you came. I really thought we could put our differences aside for once. But why?" she demands. "Why must you always compete with me? Why must you act all cozy with my ex-boyfriend just to upset me?"

"Cassandra, that’s not—" I try to explain.

"Enough!" Father snaps. He takes a step forward, glaring at me as if I'm a troublemaker intent on ruining his precious daughter's moment. "Have you learned nothing in your time away, Louise? You've become more ridiculous."

"Dad, please—"

"What right do you have to be here? Are you even on the guest list?"

I am speechless.

"So you came uninvited. And you struck an Alpha!" Father continues. "Is this your plan to steal Cassandra's spotlight? Cause a scene right before her coronation?"

A satisfied smile plays on Cassandra's lips. She then takes Father's hand, softening her voice. "Dad, don't be angry. I'm sure Louise sees her error now. Right, Louise?"

"Come on Louise, apologize to your father," Kelly chimes in.

"No. I didn’t do anything wrong," I retort stubbornly, noticing guests are craning their necks towards us.

"I don't have time for your games, Louise." Father growls in annoyance and calls out, "Jackson!"

"Yes, Alpha?" Beta Jackson steps forward, ready for instruction.

"Escort Louise to the guest room. Make sure she stays there until this ceremony concludes," Father commands.

"You’re locking me away?" I ask incredulously.

"You brought this upon yourself," Father says coldly, drawing Cassandra closer. "I will not allow anyone to ruin my daughter's night."

"I'm your daughter too," I say quietly.

For a moment, Father hesitates. I look at Charlie. He has remained silent the whole time. Our eyes meet. His lips part, a moment if maybe to intervene, but eventually he says nothing and does nothing.

"Charlie," I whisper. "You invited me."

He lowers his gaze to the ground and I feel numb. There’s no point to argue anymore. Kelly clears her throat as she orders Jackson. "Just take her away! We can't have this jinx causing any more trouble in front of the guests. What would the Coopers think of us?"

"Are you sure, Luna?" Jackson asks, his brows furrowed.

Jackson had been my Mum’s friend, a loyal warrior of our pack. In her final days, she had entrusted him with my well-being. For years, he honored that promise, becoming the support I needed. But then Cassandra noticed it. I don’t know why but she always notices where I find even the slightest comfort and she’s eager to make it disappear. She convinced Father that the pack’s borders were vulnerable. Very soon Jackson was assigned to guard the farthest edges of our territory, and would return only once a year.

"Are you questioning me? I am the Luna!" Kelly spits out at him.

"But…"Jackson wants to defend me but I stop him, worrying Kelly and Cassandra would later get back at him.

"Please lead the way, Jackson." I say and he nods.

As we move through the crowd, guests part ways, some whispering, some watch with curiosity and judgment. I can feel their intense gaze following us. As we climb the stairs, I can’t help but glance back from the corner of my eyes.

Father is holding Cassandra, speaking softly to her while Kelly is on the other side, smoothing her hair. The three of them stand together, a perfect little family unit with no space for me. Charlie stands not far away, his gaze fixed on Cassandra, a mixture of longing and pain in his eyes. He seems to have completely forgotten my existence.

"I wish I didn’t have to do this,"Jackson mutters as we stop at the doorway.

"It's fine," I say, stepping into the guest room, not wanting to make his job harder.

"Don't worry, I’ll come back once it ends," he promises, giving me a sympathetic look.

"That's what you would say when you locked me in the safehouse during the rogue attack," I recall, forcing a smile to lighten the mood.

He returns a small, sad smile and closes the door. I lean back against the wood, staying there for a while to clear the mess in my mind. As I try to recollect myself, the door behind me clicks open.

"s**t Jackson you startled me! What now? Did Father change his mind and decide to let me out?" I blurt out, quickly wiping the tears away before spinning around.

But instead of Jackson, I'm met by a handsome stranger who raises one brow and studies me with a curious, almost amused expression.